southern roots

I left only for a night but now that I'm back home and rested, I feel like I was gone for a week. This trip was a special one. I got to navigate around airports by myself with wide-open eyes- listening to my favorite music; in pursuit of dear friends I haven't seen in years. Once I got to them each one unraveled to me significant events that had happened to them since the last time we had been together. My brain felt like a sponge and I thought of my daughter as I diligently soaked in everything. Their stories were so meaningful to me. And now that I'm home I feel I read through six good books that weekend.

One is married; two are engaged; one can dance around so gracefully with the soccer ball, she plays professionally; another is starting to really open up and find herself; and the friend I knew the least about just watched her precious father die two weeks ago. Tears never even came close to escaping her eyes when talking about the experience. She explained that she knew it was coming and was prepared. I was taken back by her strength and the powerful statements she made, like:  "I feel I haven't slept for six months. I'm so ready to sleep now." 



















All night I felt like I was being hugged by the warm winter winds. We celebrated our friendships at a bar that reminded me of a tree house. The lighting was perfect and I couldn't help but notice all the naturally beautiful people around me. We migrated next into the city where the big buildings surrounded us.

The next afternoon as we all packed up to head back to our homes, we promised to reconnect much sooner the next time. Four years from now would just be way too long.

I put my headphones on once I was at the airport- excited to take in the final part of this little adventure I was on. Feist came on..."I feel it all. I feel it all." I thought of my family. I was happy to be heading to them. And then I thought of heartstrings. It's so interesting how you feel like your own heart is running around in your children. You don't want to be away from them for long. I took a short nap on the plane ride home and met Kyle outside. As the car pulled up, I noticed immediately he gave himself a hair cut and it looked so good. It's shorter and reminds me of when we first met. I put my bag in the backseat and hopped in the car- feeling thankful for the people in my life right now and excited for the friendships I have not made yet.

west-side adventure

 Our trip to Seattle passed by so quickly. As I was packing our stuff up to head back east, I couldn't help but take note of the fact I felt like I had just put my suitcase down in the room we stayed in. A room that belongs to my beautiful niece. Her space, which is marked with a crowned "M" on the door, is filled with artifacts that represent her right now at this very time. An abstract lilac painting is taped at the head of her bed. And those glow in the dark solar system stickers are systematically spaced out and stuck tightly to the ceiling above her. They are the last thing her growing mind sees before she shuts her eyes to dream, and are a good reminder that only a roof separates her from a real blanket of stars in the night sky. A book shelf full of children's literature ( her favorite being fantasy) has a little home in her room, along with some American Girl Dolls and a box of the scary miniature paraphernalia that comes along with those dollies. I also noticed a couple play horses, a box of crafts and dress up clothes, a handmade jewelry box, and a dream catcher that dressed up her bedroom window beautifully.

Our trip was so good. One of those good for the soul type ones. The change was good. 

We learned. We listened. We kept our eyes opened wide. We read. We took pictures. We took it in. We even discovered, during some downtime, our love for a game called "Flow". And I also discovered that it is possible to feel motion sickness on a plane (our last plane ride home was quite the bumpy one!)

But, most importantly, we got to hang out with family. Cousins played together. Grown ups cooked and talked and drank wine together.  We got the opportunity to sit through long, drawn out stories by a ten year old with an imagination as big as the universe. We got to see first hand how much energy an almost three year old boy has and the crazy ways he likes to release it. Sometimes it involves hitting...sometimes spitting...sometimes screaming. But, we also got to see him release it in more pleasant ways...like through giggles and through play activities and cuddles with his mama.

Art and nature seem to intertwined and coexist in the fibers that make up Seattle.

The people are creative and so are the little people they are raising.

Big buildings and city culture have always been intriguing to me. Maybe its because I live far from this type of lifestyle. But, I've always wondered what it would be like to live in the middle of all that. There are so many activities to do...so many different people to meet... music to hear...art to see. I mean the list could go on. I think I may always fantasize about living a city life, I'm just not totally sold on it being the right place for us.

But, anyway, we had fun exploring the streets of Downtown!

ornaments! 

The beauty with this city is open space is near. So are large lakes and huge mountain ranges- accompanied by volcanos and old- growth forests. The Seattle folk get the best of both worlds.

...evening walk in Greenlake....

... a morning walk down the street...

...Lake Washington...

........................................
Our time spent in the northwest was very much appreciated by my family.

Our adventure was fun.
...

But, it also, honestly, feels good to be home. 

I'm looking forward to what's next. Whatever that may be.
I know some decorating and re-organizing are in my future plans.